Note at fatal crash where four children died suggests homicide

Note near car crash that killed a mum and her four children has turned the tragedy into a homicide investigation.

Charmaine Harris McLeod with her four children Ally, 6, Matilda, 5, Zaidok, 2, and Wyatt, 4. Picture: Facebook

A note found in the handbag of the Queensland mother who died with her four children in a head-on collision with a truck last week has turned what appeared to be a tragic accident into a homicide ­investigation.

The handbag was found about 200m from where the car burst into flames after colliding with the truck near Kingaroy, 220km northwest of Brisbane, on Tuesday. A Facebook post by Charmaine Harris McLeod suggests the children — Aaleyn, 6, ­Matilda, 5, Wyatt, 4, and Zaidok, 2 — had come under the gaze of the Department of Child Safety last year. In December Ms Harris McLeod wrote in an online support group that “child safety are involved” with her children.

She also discussed the breakdown of the relationship with her former husband and said she had “significant mental health issues”.

A former church group ­attended by Ms Harris McLeod claimed she had been attending regular counselling that the church had organised for her.

Police say the note, and the lack of skid marks before the impact with the truck, suggest that the crash could have been a murder-suicide.

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart last week confirmed the tragedy was being investigated by the homicide squad.

Minister for Child Safety Di Farmer has said she is legally prevented from discussing individual child safety cases.“I know everyone wants ­answers, and so do I, but we need this to be done properly, and we need to allow police and the coroner the time and space to do their job,” Ms Farmer said.

“However, what I can say is that where a child who is known to the child protection system dies or suffers a serious injury, there is a two-tier review process in place to make sure it is thoroughly investigated.”

Deputy Opposition Leader Tim Mander said the issue had raised “serious questions” and that the government needed to be clear and transparent about what was known about the family.

“It appears the family was well known to the child protection agencies so the Palaszczuk government needs to be transparent and open about this case so that Queenslanders can have comfort that our vulnerable children are being protected,” Mr Mander said. Parish members of the church Ms Harris McLeod was involved with said the church was in regular contact with her during “many ups and downs” for “15 years”, right up until her death.